House approves anti-discrimination bill on 2nd reading

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 14) — After 11 years, the bill prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity and expression (SOGIE) has passed the second reading in the House of Representatives.

Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao, primary author of House Bill 4982 or the SOGIE Equality Bill, said this is a step closer to protecting the rights of everyone, regardless of their gender and sexuality.

Bag-ao added the bill "does not seek to create special or new rights, but simply aims to protect the basic rights of citizens."

Under the bill, the following discriminatory acts can be fined of not less than P100,000 but not more than P500,000, or imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six years or both, depending on the court's decision:

Denial of access to public services - including SOGIE as a criteria for hiring or dismissal of workers

Refusing admission or expelling students in schools based on SOGIE

Imposing disciplinary actions that are harsher than customary due to the student's SOGIE

Refusing or revoking accreditation of organizations based on the SOGIE of members

Denying access to health services

Denying the application for professional licenses and similar documents

Denying access to establishments, facilities, and services open to the general public - Forcing a person to undertake any medical or psychological examination to determine or alter one's SOGIE

Harassment committed by persons involved in law enforcement

Publishing information intended to "out" or reveal the SOGIE of a person without consent - Engaging in public speech which intends to shame or ridicule LGBTQ+ persons

Subjecting persons to harassment motivated by the offenders bias against the offended party's SOGIE, which may come in the form of any medium, including telecommunications and social media

Subjecting any person to gender profiling - Preventing a child under parental authority from expressing one's SOGIE by inflicting or threatening to inflict bodily or physical harm or by causing mental or emotional suffering

The bill, originally known as the anti-discrimination bill, was first filed in the 11th Congress by Akbayan Representative Etta Rosales.

The SOGIE Equality Bill is expected to be approved on third and final reading before the House adjourns session in October.